FOR the fourth year running, a forward from Falcon College will lead the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Junior Sables at the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week after flank Jack Charsley was named as the captain for the 2017 tournament to be staged at Saint Stithians College in Johannesburg, South Africa next week.

In 2014, prop Stephen Bhasera was the captain, hooker Brian Muntanga was the leader in 2015 and last year flank Stuart Dodington led the Junior Sables at Kearsney College in Durban.

Charsley, one of the outstanding players for the Falcon College Mad Dogs will be deputised by first centre Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu of Peterhouse.

Flank Sean Mapendamunda of Prince Edward School has been named the captain of the Academy Week side which is making its debut at the tournament taking place at St Stithians College. First centre, Sean Maenzanise, also from PE is the vice captain.

The two teams have been rocked by injuries and a withdrawal which has forced some changes to the travelling squads. For the Scott Gray coached Craven Week side, flyhalf Tabonga Ngonyamo has been ruled out by injury with his place taken up by Leeroy Kagodora who has been promoted from the Academy Week team.

Basil Dingiswayo’s Academy Week side has seen three changes, flank Nathan Tanyanyiwa broke his arm while turning out for PE to be replaced by James Owuru of Churchill, Falcon College wing Siampunga Sindaza has taken up Kagodora’s place Joshua Allardice also of Falcon College comes in for Keegan Schultz who has withdrawn his participation. With Ngonyamo ruled out by injury, Tinashe Hombiro of Prince Edward, considered the best goal kicking schoolboy number 10 in the country at the moment should revert back to that position after he was initially selected at fullback.

The two teams will hold their final training camp at Heritage from Thursday prior to departure for South Africa on Saturday. Both teams are in action next Tuesday with the Academy Week team the first to take to the field when they take on Golden Lions XV while for the Craven Week side, their opening fixture is against the North West Leopards.

Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 for Coca-Cola Craven Week

 Rivaldo Kwidini, Tadiwanashe Mabhudhu, Darren King, Jack Charsley (captain), Lebohang Mokuele (all Falcon College), Ronald Mirimi, Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu(vice-captain) Marcus Nicole, Lameck Veriwa( all Peterhouse), Brendon Mudzikitiri, Tapiwa Marimira, Mike Mhute, Leeroy Kagodora, Tinashe Hombiro ( all Prince Edward), Dexter Trail, Dillon Brain, Ryan Smith (all St John’s College), Tafadziswa Bunu, Cody Rensburg, Prince Mpfurutsa (all St George’s College), Tadiwa Muchemwa( Hillcrest), Simba Chingono ( Midlands Christians College), Kudakwashe Mashonga (Kyle College)    

Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 for Coca-Cola Academy Week                               

Adrian Zivinai (St George’s College), Takudzwa Mashingaidze, Allan Mawande(both Peterhouse), Takudzwa Mpariwa, Matthew Orowu, James Oworu, Nigel Tinarwo( all Churchill), Thokozani Mrewa (MCC),  Sean Maenzanise(vice-captain), Marques Siyawamaya, Sean Mupanemunda(captain), Edwin Mutseyekwa, Anesu Haki (all Prince Edward), Brian Chakoma, Alcy Melo  (both Heritage), Brandon Sibanda, (Kyle College) Takunda Magondo ( Victoria High), Takunda Machaya, Joshua Allardice, Siampunga Sindaza (all Falcon College)

@Mdawini_29